This route passes through the most visited cultural assets of Armenia. This is a trip for those
who love history, architecture, beautiful landscapes and mountain views.
You will have a morning departure to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO). The monastery
contains a number of churches and khachkars, most of them cut into the rock, which
illustrate the very peak of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex of medieval
buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at
the entrance to the Azat Valley.
Following the route we will come to the Garni Pagan Temple. This is the only standing
Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia. It is the best-known structure and
symbol of pre-Christian Armenia. Besides the temple we will also see the remains of
royal bath house, the ruins of a 7th century church and the summer palace of the
Armenian Arsacid dynasty. And of course this palace also had its wine cellar!
Our route to the winery will pass through Azat water Reservoir. We will have a short
stop to photograph the reservoir and mount Ararat together. We will have lunch and
tasting at the winery.
After lunch we will visit Khor Virap Monastery. We will be right next to the Biblical Ararat
and a few minutes walk from the Armenian – Turkish border. We will also learn which
capital city of Armenia once was situated here.